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01/12/2011 (LWN/Commentary) Some nations become too sure of their policies, rejecting any alternatives regardless of the result. The world should always learn from the good and bad decisions of other countries. One nation in Central Asia operates under a unique system which has successfully promoted peace and improved its people's well-being.
A surprising fact about Turkmenistan is that, despite its many natural resources and location in a region termed "dangerous" by some, its military budget remains quite small. According to GlobalSecurity.org, Turkmenistan's military budget was $173 million in 2005, about 1/3600th of what the U.S. armed forces spent and 1/260th of the French military budget for the same year. It has increased slightly since then.
One of the ways Turkmenistan has achieved security with such a small military budget is its policy of neutrality. This policy prohibits the Turkmen military from sending personnel to other countries, and doesn't allow foreign powers to establish military bases in Turkmenistan. According to the United Nations:
| "On 12 December 1995, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution A/50/80, recognizing and supporting the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. This was a historic day for the people of Turkmenistan and a unique achievement in the foreign policy of their Government. Not only did Turkmenistan make a strategic decision to adopt the status of permanent neutrality, the country also made a public commitment to build harmonious relations with its neighbours and to promote international peace and security in the wider world." |
Turkmenistan recently marked the 15th anniversary of this resolution. The U.N. Secretary General sent congratulations, saying "Fifteen years is not a long period in world affairs, yet it has brought the steady realization of Turkmenistan’s aspiration to become a force for progress and prosperity across this region and beyond." Turkmenistan has promoted regional peace, rather than getting involved in other countries' wars. For example, it helped facilitate peace talks during Tajikistan's civil war. Some countries not far from Turkmenistan have taken sides, joined alliances, and bought huge weapons packages, but it has only made them targets of attack and wasted funds which could have benefited their people.
The government of Turkmenistan has also provided foreign aid to other countries, regardless of economic relations or politics. The Trend news agency in Azerbaijan reported in August that Turkmenistan sent forty tons of aid to Pakistan following major floods. It has provided aid to other neighbors and Haiti in recent years as well.
The above-mentioned policies have made it possible for Turkmenistan to achieve friendly relations with a wide range of nations, including China, Germany, Belarus, Japan, the U.S., Iran, and most other neighboring countries.
Its achievements have not only occurred in the field of international relations. In November, the U.N. Development Program ranked Turkmenistan 2nd in the "medium" grouping of nations, far surpassing several others in Central Asia. The report indicated rising progress since 2005, including a one-year increase in life expectancy. According to the United Nations, its literacy rate has reached 99.5 percent.
Turkmenistan's people receive many subsidized services, free electricity and gasoline (up to a certain quantity), free natural gas, and free salt, as well as free primary and secondary education. Turkmenistan treats many of its natural resources at least partially as property of all the people, rather than something owned by corporations or wealthy individuals.
In so many countries, the poor live near valuable natural resources and gain little benefit from them. A few other governments like those of Norway, the UAE, and Alaska have also taken steps to spread the wealth of natural resources equally among the populace, resulting in great benefits for many instead of a few.
Private gun possession in Turkmenistan is nearly four guns for each one-hundred people, according to gunpolicy.org. By percentage, people in the U.S. own approximately 24 times more guns and the homicide rate is 40% higher. Russians own twice as many guns as Turkmen and have a homicide rate higher than the U.S. or Turkmenistan.
Certainly, Turkmenistan is not perfect. For example, a report from the U.K. Home Office indicates that 489 per 100,000 people are imprisoned, which remains higher than the rates for most European countries and slightly higher than Belize. However, this is 30% less than the percentage of U.S. citizens in prison and 20% less than that of Russia.
Turkmenistan has many holidays throughout the year, celebrating everything from independence and neutrality to carpets and horses. Its constitution mandates annual paid vacations. According to ABC News, a recent survey found Turkmenistan has the highest rate of volunteerism for charity in the world, which these policies probably contribute to.
The ability to export oil, natural gas, and agricultural products certainly helps enable Turkmenistan to apply these policies. Nonetheless, many nations could benefit from a more neutral foreign policy and a more equal distribution of natural resource wealth.
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